August 30, 2025 Global Stock Market Report: August Monthly Performance Summary Due to Weekend Closure

Major stock markets around the world were closed on Saturday, August 30th. However, the aftermath of the last trading day on August 29th and the overall performance of August provide insight into global market trends. In particular, the US market's technology stock correction and the strong performance of Asian markets were key factors in ending August.

[Major Index Overview]

On Friday, August 29th, the US market closed lower due to a technology stock correction. The S&P 500 Index fell 41.60 points (0.64%) to 6,460.26 points, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 92.02 points (0.20%) to 45,544.88 points. The Nasdaq Composite Index plunged 249.61 points (1.15%) to 21,455.55 points.

The VIX fear index rose 6.44% to 15.36, indicating growing market anxiety.

[AI Technology Stocks Surge]

AI-related stocks were heavily sold off. Tesla plummeted 3.50%, the largest decline among the Magnificent Seven, and Nvidia fell over 3.3%. Semiconductor stocks overall underperformed, with Oracle plummeting 5.9%.

[August Monthly Performance]

Nevertheless, the S&P 500 rose 1.91% in August, its fourth consecutive month of gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.8%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.6%, maintaining its monthly gains.

[Monthly Performance of the Chinese Market]

The Chinese concept stock index rose more than 6% in August, marking its fourth consecutive month of gains. The Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.37% on the last trading day of August, the Shenzhen Component Index rose 0.99%, and the Startup Board Index rose 2.23%.

Alibaba, in particular, surged 13%, recording its largest daily gain since March 2023. The Startup Board Index also showed remarkable performance, surging more than 24% in August.

[Korean Market]

The Korean KOSPI remained stable, rising 0.29% to 3,196.32 points on August 29. It has maintained a solid performance, rising 33.24% year-to-date and 20.06% over the past year.

[Japanese Market]

Japan's Nikkei 225 Index fell 0.26% to 42,718.47 points, but still rose 8.68% year-to-date and 10.53% for the year.

[Major Index Status]

European markets closed generally lower on August 29. The German DAX Index fell 137.71 points (0.57%) to 23,902.21 points, and the UK's FTSE 100 Index fell 29.48 points (0.32%) to 9,187.34 points.

France's CAC 40 Index fell 58.70 points (0.76%) to 7,703.90 points, demonstrating the ongoing impact of political instability.

[Monthly Performance]

Nevertheless, the German DAX maintained a solid year-to-date performance, rising 19.36% year-to-date, and the UK's FTSE 100 rose 11.23%.

[Indian Market Highlights]

India's NSE conducted a comprehensive simulated trading session across all sectors on August 30. This was conducted as part of system readiness ahead of the NEAT upgrade, covering equities, derivatives, commodities, and currency markets.

The Indian Sensex index fell 0.87% to 80,080.57 points as of August 28, but still maintained strong long-term growth momentum.

[Major Currency Trends]

The US Dollar Index fell slightly 0.04% to 97.86. The dollar is down 10.43% year-to-date and 3.8% year-to-date, continuing the weak trend.

The Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong rose 0.32% to 25,077.62 points, posting a remarkable 27.79% year-to-date gain.

[Gold Market]

COMEX gold futures rose 1.19% to close at $3,515.50 per ounce. It rose 5.01% in August, marking its fourth consecutive month of gains.

[Crude Oil Market]

WTI October crude oil futures fell 0.91% to close at $64.01 per barrel, marking a 6.14% decline in August. Brent crude oil futures for October closed at $68.12, down 0.73%, marking a 4.99% monthly decline.

[US Treasury Bonds]

The 2-year Treasury yield fell more than 2.2 basis points (bps) to trade near 3.6050%, while the 10-year Treasury yield rose less than 1 basis point.

This indicates that expectations of a September Fed rate cut are still priced into the market.

[Major Cryptocurrency Trends]

Bitcoin plunged more than 3.3%, falling below the $109,000 level. This is interpreted as a movement linked to the stock market's correction in technology stocks.

[Contrasting Tech Stock Performance]

Chinese tech stocks showed strength, while US tech stocks underwent a correction. Alibaba's 13% surge and Nvidia's 3.3% decline highlight the polarization of the global technology market.

[Small-Cap vs. Large-Cap]

In the US, the Nasdaq underperformed small-cap stocks in August, reflecting a shift in funds from large-cap technology stocks to small-cap stocks.

[Positive Performance]

- S&P 500: Up 1.91% (4th consecutive month of gains)

- China Startup Index: Soared by over 24%

- Chinese concept stocks: Up over 6% (4th consecutive month of gains)

- Korea's KOSPI: Up 33.24% year-to-date

- Gold: Up 5.01% (4th consecutive month of gains)

[Weak Performance]

- Nasdaq: Underperformed small-cap stocks

- Crude Oil: WTI down 6.14%, Brent down 4.99%

- US Technology Stocks: End-of-Month Adjustment

[September Market Concerns]

Historically, September is known as the most challenging month for the stock market, so investors are adopting a cautious stance. Concerns are growing that major challenges lie ahead.

[Short-Term Risk Factors]

- Seasonal Weakness: Historical Underperformance in September

- AI Technology Stock Correction: Concerns about Overvaluation Continue

- Federal Reserve Policy Uncertainty: Speed and Scale of Interest Rate Cuts

- Geopolitical Risks: Continued Global Tensions

[Investment Opportunities]

The strong momentum of the Chinese market is expected to continue, and interest-sensitive assets are expected to benefit as the global interest rate cut cycle gains momentum.

Safe-haven assets such as gold are expected to continue to attract attention due to geopolitical uncertainty and demand for inflation hedging.

The structural growth and technological innovation themes of Asian emerging markets are also emerging as noteworthy investment opportunities in the medium to long term.